When you’re buying a kitless pen from a small maker, it’s the little touches and refinements that make the difference between an OK pen that’s basically a vehicle for some pretty resin, and a genuinely good product that can stand tall as a writing instrument in its own right.
I’m very pleased to say that… Continue reading
Month: August 2020 (Page 2 of 2)
Update: the project is live. It’s called ‘Gravitas’.
It’s been ages since I backed a pen project on Kickstarter. I used to back loads of stuff: folding keyboards, GPS devices, knives and multitools, and, yes, pens. But I got sick of waiting 18 months or more for a pledge to be delivered (if they delivered… Continue reading
I felt relaxed and serene as soon as I started to write with the ST Dupont Line D / Ligne D / Elysee (more on the naming later…).
It’s a very stylish pen, as befits a historic Parisian atelier, of course, but you could almost mistake it for… boring. Like a gentleman in a plain… Continue reading
I am proud of how friendly and welcoming the fountain pen and stationery community is. And in my own stationery usage, I pride myself on having a (fairly) open mind.
I can see the beauty in a plain black pen or one in bright swirly resin. I see the practical value of a simple converter,… Continue reading
Since my last SotC on 12th July, here’s what’s been cooking. There’s a lot, so apologies in advance for the long post…
First, and most importantly, thank you for the donations! More than 20 of you donated, and I appreciate every single one of you who did so, whether you gave a fiver or rather… Continue reading
It’s Sunday morning and I’m noodling on where this hobby of ours is heading. In hindsight it’s always easy to see surges in popularity or big trends moving: the Gentleman Stationer just pointed out the growth in ‘oversize’ pens (pun intended), and anyone with an eye on the world of inks has spotted the explosion… Continue reading
There’s a new nib wizard in town — and he’s in the UK.
You’ve seen the Cross Concord and other pricey Sailors. You’ve seen the monsters from Regalia Writing Labs, continents away.
Now meet Jose Munuera, who is building his skills with stacked nibs right here in the UK.
Let me share my experiences with… Continue reading
Otto Hutt feels like a brand that’s found its swagger.
Even just a few years ago, this hundred-year-old German brand was almost invisible on the internet. Now, there are plenty of reviews popping up.
This formerly traditional manufacturer has started to be much bolder. It’s started to publish its own bilingual magazine called ‘Unique’, a… Continue reading
Rather than words comes the thought of high windows: The sun-comprehending glass,And beyond it, the deep blue air, that showsNothing, and is nowhere, and is endless.Philip Larkin, High Windows
Few pens make me want to quote poetry (especially by my favourite poet). The Onoto Great Court Vitreous Enamel Sterling Silver is one.
But let’s get something… Continue reading